Captain’s Table Burns Down
Firefighters responded to a call over the weekend at the Captain’s Table, but weren’t able to save the business. Early Sunday morning the building caught fire and burned to the ground. It’s still unknown what caused the blaze, although authorities believe it might have something to do with an electrical short.

115 Overpass Closed Down
Drivers in the Broadway community may have to find new ways of getting around for the next two weeks. The DOT has closed down the NC 115 South/Statesville Road overpass in Broadway after an accident this weekend. A tractor-trailer that was hauling a forklift misjudged the height of the overpass and crashed into it. No one was injured, however damage done to the overpass itself will take at least two weeks to repair, according to DOT officials.

Solving The Medicare Puzzle Part 2: What's Covered?
Paying the cost of prescription drugs can at times be worse than the sickness they're supposed to cure. Under the new Medicare drug benefit, around 50% of your drug costs are expected to be absorbed by the government. So why, as Dr. Merrill Matthews explains, could you still be paying the full price for a drug prescribed by your doctor? You can tune in to the news today and hear part of Brian's interview with Dr. Matthews, as they discuss some of the loopholes in the new drug benefit. Also coming up tomorrow in Tuesday's segment of the series, Dr. Matthews will be talking about how the benefit will affect your existing healthcare coverage.

Marine Corps Collecting Toys
While out shopping for Christmas presents this week, the local detachment of the Marine Corps is asking you to set aside one of those gifts for a needy child. The Corps is collecting toys for kids at four locations here in Wilkes. You can drop off new and unwrapped toys at the Hardees on 421, the Lowes Foods on 421, the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery and Lowes Foods at Midtown Plazza. All of the toys will be given out to needy children here in Wilkes and must be dropped off by December 15th. For more information you can call the Marine Corps at 667-0204.

Several Local Stores Damaged
Vandals hit two stores in the Wilkes County area this week. Lackey’s Market in Boomer had its’ front door shattered, then the power was cut. However nothing was taken and nothing was damaged inside the store itself. Meanwhile Cheek’s Market on Hwy 268 East was also hit by vandals. The front door was busted but again, nothing was taken or damaged inside. Finally in Ferguson, vandals hit the Watson BP by once again shattering the front door. Also the cameras outside the store were damaged as well, however nothing was taken from inside. Deputies are continuing all three investigations.

Communities In Schools Opens Its' Doors
Throughout the year on 3WCNews, you've heard us talk about Communities in Schools and discuss the programs with some of their workers. Now you have an opportunity to see for yourself. Coming up this Friday, Communities in Schools will be holding an Open House from 5-8pm, giving the people of Wilkes a chance to see inside the organization and learn more about the different programs from the inside. There will also be giveaways of school supplies, games, children's books and several other items. Once again that's this Friday December 2nd from 5-8pm at the Communities in Schools office. They're located just off School Street on College Avenue. The number to call is 651-7830 if you want more information.

Salvation Army Offering Help
Many families can find themselves in a time of need as the holidays approach. It can be hard to pay the bills and also put food on the table. The local Salvation Army is taking applications for their financial assistance program. The program is open to anyone who can demonstrate a need for help paying utility or rent bills. However before going out, please remember that you can only be seen with an appointment, during eithr Tuesday or Thursday from 1-5pm. Also there is a limited amount of money available to help, given out on a need based approach. The Salvation Army is located in the Wilkes United Way office building, at 910 C Street in Wilkesboro. For more information or to set up an appointment you can call 651-7800.

False Teeth Stolen From Local Home
Sheriff's deputies were called out to investigate a strange kind of theft on the Cotton Mill Road last week. Thieves broke into a local woman's home, stealing a bag of reciepts and her false teeth. They broke in by drilling a hole in the lock and opening up the utility room connected to the main house. Nothing else was taken in the theft and that investigation continues.

Thieves On River Street Do Some Early Christmas Shopping
Sheriff's deputies were called out to an apartment on River Street last week, after thieves broke into an apartment in the area. Included in the theft was a DVD player, a surround sound stereo system, a cell phone and some tools. There is a suspect in the case, as a friend had been staying with the man over the last week. When the homeowner returned, both the friend and his items were missing. Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Regional News

Portions Of I-40 Closed
For anyone heading towards Winston today, portions of I-40 will be shut down. The DOT is closing down lanes on I-40 East and West at mile marker 188, near the Hanes Mall Boulevard. Only one lane of the road will be open starting at 7pm tonight and stretching on until 6am Tuesday morning. The reason for the shutdown is so that DOT can work on putting in a concrete barrier near the highway, as the beginnings of a widening project for the Hanes Mall Boulevard bridge currently over I-40.

State News

Shelby Police Searching For Murder Suspect
Officials in Shelby are searching today for a suspect after a murder over the Thanksgiving holiday. Police found John Alvin Haynes dying of a gun wound at his home on Buffalo Street. He later died at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Warrants have been issued for Renaldo Nehemiah Smith of Shelby, who is believed to be the killer.

Crazy Passenger Causes Flight To Land In Charlotte
A United Airlines flight was diverted to Charlotte International on Friday after the actions of one passenger. There were 117 people on board the flight, which was heading to Washington DC from Florida. Mark McGovern, officials say, stood up, lit a cigarette, then got into an argument with a flight attendant and urinated in the aisle. Federal authorities took McGovern into custody as soon as the plane touched down and after 20 minutes they were up in the air once again.

Incentives Not Coming To Western NC
Western North Carolina is missing out on most of the state’s incentives money, according to a report from the Asheville Citizen Times. The report took data from both the One North Carolina Fund and Job Development Grants. It found that 93% of the money given over the past three years by the fund went to the central and eastern parts of the state. That money was used to create 17,000 jobs in those areas, as opposed to 1500 created so far in the western counties.

Some Stores May Find Supplies Slipping
Some bad news if you’re going to be out and about this week shopping for Christmas presents. You may be waiting a little longer for your gifts. Diesel prices are still 40 cents higher than last year and to save on costs, trucking companies won’t let their drivers leave until they have a full shipment. That could lead to delays once stores run out of their supplies.

18-Yr-Old Teacher Goes To College
An 18-yr-old is heading for medical school at Wake Forest next year. What makes this student different from the rest is the fact he’s already an algebra and chemistry teacher at Forsyth Technical Community College, despite his age. Kyle Nichols wants to become a doctor and is leaving his job at the community college to pursue it.

Sports Headlines

High School Scoreboard
It was a busy weekend around the high school scene, as East Wilkes beat North in varsity basketball 67-58. Brent Poplin had 18 points for the Cardinals, who won their first game of the year. On the girls side, it was North Wilkes beating East 70-64, behind Sarah Smith’s 18 points. Kasey Shew had 29 points to lead the scoring for East. Also the Wilkes Central varsity girls had two games over the Thanksgiving weekend and won both, beating the Lady Blackhawks of West 68-39, and also beating North Iredell 63-39. The Lady Eagles improve to 3-0 with the wins.

NCAA Basketball Scoreboard
Around the college basketball scoreboard, it was Coastal Carolina falling to Wisconsin 92-54, UNC Greensboro beating Hampton 75-72, UNC Wilmington beat Elon 59-51, it was Western Carolina over High Point 73-66, East Carolina taking care of Wofford 70-68. UNC Charlotte bounced back from its’ earlier loss to Mississippi State by taking care of business against Georgia State 73-68 while the NC State Wolfpack beat Notre Dame 61-48.

NCAA Football Scoreboard
Around the college football scene, it was East Carolina taking care of UAB 31-23. With the win, East Carolina finishes at 5-6, nearly double their win percentage of the past two years combined. NC State locked up bowl eligibility with a 20-14 win over Maryland while the UNC Tarheels saw their season end with a 30-3 loss against Virginia Tech. And Appalachian State moved on to the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs with a 34-23 win over Lafayette.

Bobcats Beat Wizards
In the NBA Saturday night, the Charlotte Bobcats beat yet another playoff team as they dismantled the Washington Wizards 100-82. Gerald Wallace exploded for 26 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Emeka Okafor added a double double with 10 points and 17 rebounds. Sean May was a late scratch from the lineup with a sore knee as the Bobcats improve to 5-9 on the year.

Panthers Take Care Of Bills
While the Carolina Panthers offense has sputtered of late, the defense was there to help carry the team to a win over Buffalo on Sunday. The Panthers won 13-9, after Chris Gamble intercepted a last minute pass from Bills’ QB JP Losman. Jak Delhomme finished with 191 passing yards and a touchdown, while Deshaun Foster took over the running game with 77 yards on the ground.